golab1

Long time cyclist, rower, thinking about making a jump from rowing to track cycling for the sake of my back (no, I don't think track cycling is easy on one's back but I do think it might be just enough easier that I won't blow out my back by 30). With the magic of the interwebs I've deduced where all the tracks are in the US but I haven't found "teams" or training groups per se that are track specific. So, where are there competitive coaches and teams in the US?

carleton

Hi, and welcome to the sport!

There are lots of teams (local, regional, and national). It all starts with you going to your local track and poking around a bit. Hopefully your track has an active website or Facebook page where you can gather information about events.

A lot of great coaches coach at local tracks. Being that there aren't many tracks, every coach I've been to has a few national or world-class coaches.

What would be your local track?

golab1

The Lehigh Valley Velodrome is closest to me (it's about an hour away). Lots of solid guys race there, but they seem to be spread out amongst a bunch of different coaches. Really it's a strange athlete dependence on a training plan that's driving me to try and find a coach. If I was trying to do a 4k, I figure I could cobble together a training plan from my rowing knowledge, but training for a sprint event would be a whole different animal. Plus, I might end up moving to the NW (Seattle or Vancouver) or back to Colorado. There's a track at all those destinations.

Hida Yanra

Leigh Valley is a fantastic track with a ton of fast folks - if no one on the board posts up about the scene there I'll get the scoop from a friend over there and PM you.

I live in Seattle and also race in Vancouver-
There are a couple (2-3?) good coaches in Seattle, and one world class coach based 1/2 way between seattle and vancouver... so there are great options up here.

Try the marymoor facebook page & website
https://www.facebook.com/groups/62068584446/
https://velodrome.org/mva/

For Burnaby (Vancouver), all their info is here:
https://www.burnabyvelodrome.ca/index.php

Mikey58 

For sprint training close to T-town you may want to contact Andrew at www.sprintersedge.com.

Mike

carleton

I meant to write:

Lehigh Valley Veldorome (aka "Trexlertown" or "TTown") definitely has some world-class coaching and racing going on. The summer race series is amazing. World class racers from other countries live there for the summer to race every week. Not to mention guys like Matt Baranoski and many others.

You can find some great coaches there.

My suggestions:

- Don't buy a bike yet.
- Contact the velodrome and tell them that you are an athlete looking to switch sports to track racing and you'd like to find out your options for local coaching: https://www.thevelodrome.com/contact-us/
- Attend the beginners class (using the rental bikes)
- Buy the bike your coach suggests

Hopefully, your coach can get you on the track before the beginner's class.

Coaching ranges from $100-$700+ / month. It's hard to say what level coach a person needs. I've seen elite athletes find an elite coach and dive right into the elite scene. So, it's possible. But, it really depends on how fit and strong you are right now. If you don't need much "sculpting", then you could probably do it.

I do suggest that you find a local coach as opposed to one that coaches remotely. Remote coaching works for people who just need training programs. New racers usually need tactical and fit coaching which have to be done by a coach on site.

Hida Yanra

mmmhmmmm

golab1

That's pretty killer advice and insight. Sounds like T Town is a gem.